The Jim Thorpe Area High School Class of 2020 has asked the district to let them hold their graduation ceremonies outdoors, weather permitting.

School officials say they are looking into the idea and hope to have an answer soon.

A group of seniors attended the monthly school board meeting Wednesday night to formally request that the 2020 commencement exercises take place at the high school stadium.

Speaking on their behalf, class president Cobe Frycklund said that graduation hasn’t been held in the stadium for 10 years. Yet other districts in the area such as Lehighton, Panther Valley and Tamaqua hold their ceremonies outdoors.

Frycklund said the vast majority of students, as well as parents and teachers want to see graduation held outdoors.

“I realize that in comparison to many of the other issues on the school board’s agenda, an outdoor graduation proposal may sound relatively unimportant. But 123 of 137 graduating Jim Thorpe seniors have spoken, and they have informed me that this is very important to them,” he said.

Frycklund said that the stadium will create more seating capacity for extended family and friends compared to the high school gymnasium, where graduation is traditionally held.

He said the outdoor setting will also provide for better photos, and be “symbolic of the fresh start and exciting new adventures that I and my fellow graduating seniors will be embarking upon as Jim Thorpe graduates.”

Frycklund said the Class has developed a contingency plan in case the weather forces them indoors.

Superintendent John Rushefski praised Frycklund for his leadership and his classmates for attending the meeting. He said the school district is taking the next step of meeting with the borough of Jim Thorpe to make sure the plan complies with the borough’s ordinances.

“We’re working toward June 3, our last day of school, outdoor graduation being an option. We’re taking it seriously as well,” Rushefski said.

School board member Paul Montemuro said the issue is parking. An outdoor graduation would allow more people to attend, meaning more vehicles. Montemuro said the district may need to get the borough’s permission to park additional cars on the property.

He said he is in favor of the idea.

“I don’t think anybody here on the board is going to argue with it being outside. You’re definitely going to get support,” he said.